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One night.
That’s what we had said. I’m not going to give all my heart, just in case. I am going to be careful. I have to. I can’t allow myself to be hurt again.
* * *
The next morning, I head to the bakery to get coffee before we start the day. Allie gives me a casual “good morning,” from behind the counter, but then her whole manner changes. “Oh my God, you did it. You had sexy time with Pres.”
“Shh.” I am relieved the bakery’s currently empty.
She laughs and leans her chin on her hand. “It’s just you and me. Tell me everything, and it’s on the house.”
“In that case, I’m getting a doughnut, too,” I tease, pulling out my wallet anyway.
Allie starts on my iced coffee and looks over at me. “You have a minute to hang?”
I look at my phone. “Yeah, I have ten minutes, then need to head over to the office.”
“Okay, what doughnut do you want?”
“Chocolate with chocolate frosting, please.” I grin.
She slides it over to me with my coffee and waves off my card. “Come on. I need a break anyway. We just had a rush.”
We take a seat at one of the back tables. “I have to tell you what happened with the auction,” she says. She pauses, then grins so big. “We raised over fifteen thousand dollars between the auction, donations, and the calendar pre-sales. It was such a huge success, Paige.”
“Wow, thank you. I don’t even know what to say. I’m shocked.”
“I know. We didn’t expect to get that much. I know you’ve been struggling with Harry’s bills, so maybe this could help with that, too?” she asks gently.
“You have no idea. This takes so much stress off me.” I wipe my eyes. “Who’s cutting onions in here?”
She laughs. “Now tell me everything about Preston. Last night, there was so much chemistry you practically had fireworks shooting off around you. I’m dying here!” She leans forward and takes a sip of her coffee. “Since you walked in here, you haven’t stopped smiling. I bet he’s the same right now,” she says dreamily.
“Pretty much,” I confirm. “It’s like a switch flipped for us.”
Her oven timer goes off, and she looks at it reluctantly. “I have to get that.”
“I better get to the office.” I stand and head over to the door and wave at her. “Thanks again for everything.”
“Anytime!” she calls from the back. “Let’s get together with Mellie and Beth soon.”
* * *
I unlock the door and get the office going for the day. I make coffee. Real coffee this time. I’m not sure if we’re in a truce or what, and this feels nerve racking.
I’m busying myself cleaning up the coffee area and restocking it when I feel him behind me. His arms come from around me and land on the counter.
“What are you doing, Sunshine?”
“Making coffee,” I say, feeling like the heat’s been turned up twenty degrees instantly. “Do you want some?” I ask weakly, my stomach dipping.
“I’ve had your coffee, Sunshine. No.” He nuzzles my neck and kisses it.
“This is truce coffee,” I offer.
“Oh, is it now?” he murmurs.
“Yep. But suit yourself if you don’t want any.” I walk over to my desk and sit in my chair, trying not to be nervous after last night.
